Interview with Gloucestershire batsman Hamish Marshall

HAMISH MARSHALL expects Gloucestershire to learn from their mistakes of the past and make a significant improvement next year.

The 33-year-old batsman is the most experienced member in a largely young squad and revealed the hurt he felt after they finished bottom of the County Championship last season.

However, Marshall is confident that better times are just around the corner.

“We were very upset to finish bottom,” he said. “With a couple of games to go we could have easily have ended up in mid-table, which made it even more disappointing.

“We lost a few matches by trying to win them and that was an important learning experience to take into next season because, above all, we need to be more consistent.

“As individuals and as a team we need to stand up and be counted more and if that happens I think the right results will come our way.”

Marshall captained Gloucestershire on their way to reaching the Friends Life t20 quarter-finals for the first time in five years last season and stepped in on other occasions when Alex Gidman was unable to play.

The club are still looking for a new skipper following Gidman’s decision to step down and former New Zealand international Marshall has backed their plans to recruit an overseas player for the job.

He said: “It would be great to sign a talented overseas player with leadership qualities for the whole season. “That isn’t easy these days, but there are players out there and if they tick the right boxes I’m sure every effort will be made to recruit one.

“We had Ed Cowan here last summer, but he is likely to be selected by Australia and might not be an option.

“New Zealand have a very busy 18 months of cricket ahead, so if we try to get another international player from there it might not be for the whole season.

“That might not be ideal, but we will just have to wait and see what happens.”

While many of his Gloucestershire team-mates are in sunnier climes, Marshall is looking forward to a traditional family Christmas in England this winter.

He is busy training with those members of the squad not playing abroad at the moment in a change to his normal routine.

Marshall said: “It’s my first full winter here for many years and I’m looking forward to it. “I’ve tended to go back home to play for my old club in New Zealand, but this year is a change and a new challenge working hard with the lads at the County Ground.

“My wife Mags and I are expecting our second child in January, which is why we are staying in England. Our little boy Ollie will be 16-months-old by then so Christmas is going to be pretty special.”

Gloucestershire members will be able to watch Hampshire and Worcestershire’s home LV= County Championship matches free of charge next season, thanks to a reciprocal agreement. The deal also means that Hampshire and Worcestershire fans will be able to attend Gloucestershire’s LV=CC matches at The County Ground in Bristol and at the Brewin Dolphin Cheltenham Cricket Festival. However, the offer does not include each club’s away fixtures against each other.

Commercial director Tim Davies said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Hampshire and Worcestershire on this. “As well as being able to watch all of Gloucestershire’s home matches, this deal allows our members to take a look at the opposition and enjoy some additional cricket elsewhere.” Gloucestershire membership packages are on sale now via the club website. Adult membership is £184 with an Early Bird discount, which is available until January 2 2013. Under-16s membership is £27.

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